Cable grip



Patented Aug. 18, 1931 y UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE PHILIP J'. MARTIN, OF ELIZABETH, AND .ARCHIBALD T. COLEY, 0F CLIFTON, NEW

l JERSEY CABLE GRIP This invention relates to improvements in cable grips and more particularlyv to that style of a cable grip known as alufling grlp. These grips are well known in the art and consist of a plurality of strands of wireor wire cord which are diagonally woven or 1nterlaced to form an open mesh ca able of contracting radially when extende lengthwise and of expanding radially when contracted lengthwise.

,Luing grips necessarily have their means for attaching the draw rope offset from the central axis. In the luiling operation this arrangement obviously results in the strands of the cable grip on the opposite side from the mea-ns for attaching the draw rope exerting a great pressure on the cable being luifed. The outer sheath of the cable 1s formed of lead or other soft metal and this pressure causes indentations on the sheath which weakens it and often results in serious injury thereto. The luing grip being used on an intermediate portion of an installed cable, 1f the injury or deformation of the cable 1s serious, the cable mustbe withdrawn from the duct and a new one installed. This is an exceedingly troublesome and costly operation.

The principal object of the resent invention is to provide a most simp e and eiiclent means for eliminating this serious problem.

Referring to the drawings, in which a preferred form of the invention is illustrated:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a luling grip showing the invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, the lower part of the grip being broken away, the eye or tug being in elevation, and a cable being shown in the grip;

Fi 3 is a side elevation of the protecting mem er; and

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view ofthe protecting member taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Referring again the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1, the reference numeral designates the woven open mesh cable grip. Grips of this type being well known in the art it is not thought necessary to enter into a detail description at this time. The grip is formed of a plurality of diagonally interwoven strands of wire or wire cord 6 which are formed into an open mesh hollow body; cylindrically shaped. In the form of cable grip illustrated in the drawings the tubular open mesh of wire thus, formed is hunched or brought together at the draft end. The gripping action of this grip is due to the change in form of the meshes. When a pull is exerted, the meshes are elongated axially and narrowed circumferentially, thus decreasing the diameter of the grip and causing it to firmly grasp the cable.

As heretofore stated, the present invention is particularly adapted for use on a luiling grip and such a grip is illustrated in the drawings. As is known, the purpose of a luiiing grip is to pull up slack in an installed cable. The means for attaching the pull rope to the draft end of the grip must therefore be offset from the axis of the grip. In the type of cable 'gri selected for illustration the means for attac ing the pull rope comprises an eye 7. This form, however, may be widely varied; for instance, there may be a pair of eyes adjacent each other, a pair of eyes separated from each other, a formed luiing head, or other known constructions. Regardless of the construction of the means for attaching the pull rope the strands of the cable grip substantially opposite the means for attachingthe pull rope thereto will exert agreat pressure on the cable being luifed. It is obvious this is. due to the line of pull being substantially off from the central axis of the cable and cable grip. As heretofore stated this causes serious damage to the soft sheathing of the cable. It has been found advantageous in practice to form the grip with a single eye and serve it with a suitable material, asindicated at 8. The customary thimble in the eye of the grip is omit-ted and greater flexibility is thus obtained.

The means for preventing injury to the cable comprises a plate 9. This plate is located adjacent the draft end of the cable and its forward end 10 preferably projects slightly beyond the strands at the draft end. The plate 9 is secured to the strands of the cable grip substantially opposite the means for attaching the draw rope. The forward end 10 of the plate is preferably curved. outward from the strands, as illustrated in Flg. 2. In this mannera broad smooth surface is presented to the cable instead of the harsh cuttlng strands. The rear edge 11 may also be rounded and slightly curved if desired. The plate 9 is arcuate or semi-circular in crosssection, as illustrated in Fig. 4, and conforms with the cylindrical contour of the mesh of the grip.

The means illustrated for attaching the protecting member to the strands of the grip comprises a pair of ears 12 punched out from the body of the plate 9. However, this means may be Widely varied. It is preferable, though by no means essential, to attach the protecting member to the cable grip wlnle the grip is being Woven. Grips of this character are Woven on a mandrel of substantially the same diameter as the cable they are to be used on. By attaching the protecting member to the strands of the grip While it is being woven it is assured that the distortion of the grip When in operation will not interfere with the fastening means 12.

As previously stated, the form of the cable grip and the fastening means may be varied. It is common practice to use a split luifng grip. If such a grip were used the fastening means for the protecting member would only be used on one side thereof so as not to interfere with the removal of the grip from the cable. If desired, the strands of the cable grip may be secured to the sides of the protecting plate and said strands Woven about the fastening means in any approved manner.

Other modifications such as would suggest themselves to one skilled in the art are to be construed as coming within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A cable grip formed of a tubular Woven mesh of Wire strands brought together at the draft end into an eye, said eye being offset from the axis of said cable grip, and a protecting member secured to the strands of said cable grip, said protecting member being positioned adjacent the draft end of said eye mesh of Wire strands brought together at the draft end into an eye, said eye being offset from the axis of said cable grip, and a protecting member secured to the strands of 2.. A cable grip formed of a tubular Woven said cable grip, said protecting member being arcuate in cross-section and having its for- Ward end projecting slightly beyond the strands of said cable grip substantially opposite said eye, said forward end of sai protecting member being curved outwardly from said strands.

4. A protecting member for a cable grip formed of a tubular woven mesh of wire strands, said protecting member being arcuate in cross-section and having means for attaching it to the strands of said cable grip.

5. A protecting member for a cable grip formed of a tubular woven mesh of wire strands brought together at the draft end into an offset eye, said protecting member comprising a plate arcuate in cross section having its forward end curved outwardly and provided with means for attaching it to the strands of said cable grip.

In testimony whereof We aix our signatures.

PHILIP J. MARTIN. ARCHIBALD T. COLEY.

cable grip and substantially opposite said 

